CHICOPEE – Mark R. McAuliffe is announcing he is running for the City Council seat in Ward 2 on Nov. 8.

He is challenging incumbent Charles M. Swider, who is running for his fifth term on the City Council. McAuliffe also unsuccessfully ran against Swider for the seat two years ago.

McAuliffe, 37, of 359 Granby Road, said he plans to focus on downtown redevelopment if elected.

“Our downtown should be Chicopee’s crown jewel, a centerpiece that reflects the values of the city and is attractive for development. It has been neglected for far too long. We must take the initiative to clean the area up and take pride in what was once the center of our community. I will not let this travesty continue. A facelift is needed and I will move to market that area for potential business and development,” he said.

McAuliffe said he also believes one of the most important issues councilors could face is deciding if allowing a casino is right for Chicopee.

“I remain open to listening to the positives and negatives of a casino being located in Chicopee and final say will rest with you the voters. We need an official that won’t be voting based on biases,” he said.

Currently working as a full-time civilian structural maintenance technician at Westover Air Reserve Base, McAuliffe is also a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force and has been deployed to Iraq as a member of the Army Reserve in the past.

He said he is also a chief union steward for the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3707 at Westover.

“I support unions and their right to collectively bargain. As a city councilor I will continue to work with unions and help support workers rights,” he said.